The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has stated that the terrorism situation in the country, especially in the North-East region, under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, cannot be compared to how it was under former President Goodluck Jonathan, arguing that, terrorists activities have been greatly reduced by President Buhari,
The Minister said this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja.
He recalled how some communities under the full control of terrorists before 2015, had been reclaimed by the Federal Government, through what he described as the relentless efforts of the Nigerian Military and other Security Forces.
He stated: “There is no doubt about the fact that the government is winning the war against the terrorists. A few years ago, when we came into power in 2015; of the 20 Local Government Areas in Borno, about 13 were under the effective control of boko haram.
“On December 5, 2015, we travelled to Bama, Konduga, Kaure, and Maiduguri. The distance from Maiduguri to Bama is about 78 kilometres, but no single vehicle was on the road. It was like a suicide mission. The week after we left, a commander was killed on the same route. When we got to Bama, of the over 6,000 houses in Bama; not one was standing. They had all been bombed by boko haram.
“Today, go to Bama and see for yourselves. And when we went in 2015, you could not travel more than a few kilometres outside Maiduguri metropolis. So, there is no doubt in my mind that we are winning. And if is further evidence; thousands of insurgents that are surrendering speak volumes. We were in Maiduguri two weeks ago for another very successful town hall meeting where all Stakeholders were in attendance, like the Traditional Rulers, the Military, Police and CSOs.
”The Governor confirmed that the heightened assaults and attacks by the Military had led to the surrender of many insurgents. And again, the Military has recently acquired more platforms and these are making life difficult for the terrorists. That is why any time they make an attempt, they are being repelled fiercely. There is no doubt in our minds that the Federal Government is winning the war, very very much.’
“In some places, the activities of boko haram and bandits have dovetailed. This is because of the pummeling they are receiving from the military in the North-East, they are moving toward parts of North Central.
”And here they are linking up with bandits, so there are some handshakes of some sorts. It is just like if you displace water, it will flow somewhere so that is what is happening.
”But the Military is aware of this, and I can assure you that in the next few days; that also will be history. The Military is doing its best, and we are not giving up at all.”
